Special Programs

AVIDAVID is at the SMHS, Goodnight and Miller Middle Schools. AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness system for elementary through higher education that is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional learning, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change. AVID is an academic elective. But it's more than a program - it's a philosophy: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge. Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the least served students in the academic middle. Policymakers and school administrators now consider AVID an essential strategy for closing the achievement gap and making the college dream accessible to all students. Note: AVID programs are in place at the SMCISD secondary schools: Miller and Goodnight Middle Schools and the San Marcos High School.

Character Development Along with excellent curriculum, all the elementary schools offer character building programs, many of which are sponsored by local community groups and clubs such as Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary. Character curriculum examples are Early Act/First Knight (values from the age of chivalry), the Gentlemen’s Club / Ladies Club (national group). The campuses have Character Counts days, Heroes Day, etc., to honor students who have shown exemplary character. This is continued into the two middle schools with student ambassador groups.

Universal Breakfast Program Beginning fall 2012, SMCISD provides breakfast at no charge to all students, i.e. “universal” free breakfasts. Research indicates that schools that offer free breakfasts to all students increase student participation rates. Testing results should improve, as well as attendance and behavior. The stigma is removed, and all students benefit. Summer Mobile Meals Program San Marcos CISD serves on average 60 to 70 lunches a day during the summer months to students (3200+ in all), and in some cases their families, who are not enrolled in summer school, but qualify for free or reduced restaurant operations. The meals are distributed five days a week from a converted school bus at five stops, and for many is the only good meal they will get all day. The program is 99.96% USDA funded and also receives $250,000 worth of federal commodities.